Jason Roberts 'led by example'

Community honors athlete who inspired

SAN ANGELO, Texas - A standing-room-only crowd of about 300 gathered at the Johnson Street Church of Christ Family Center on Tuesday morning for the funeral service of Lake View High School football player La Quillian Jason Roberts, a testament to how many lives he touched.

The celebration of Roberts' life had to be moved to the church's family center because of air conditioning problems in the sanctuary.

Johnson Street Church of Christ minister Tommy King told the congregation maybe the change of venue was meant to be — the family center includes a basketball court, and Roberts had a strong faith in God and a love for athletics.

"I think the preacher did a good job of putting that together," Lake View head football coach Doug Kuhlmann said. "It's almost fitting that it ended up in an athletic and a spiritual atmosphere."

The service drew all ages, including family, students, teachers, coaches and officials from the San Angelo school district.

Roberts, affectionately known around the Lake View campus as "J-Rob," was described as a selfless young man with a contagious smile who often helped friends or classmates during challenging times.

The 17-year-old's body was retrieved near Horseshoe Bend at Lake Nasworthy after he drowned Friday afternoon.

One of Roberts' former teammates, ex-Lake View offensive lineman Mark Hudson, said it was an honor to serve as a pallbearer.

Hudson will play football for Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie this fall and said he will think of Roberts for inspiration.

"I give a lot of credit to him for pushing me to get to the next level in football," Hudson said. "He busted my butt for two years, making me work hard every day.

"I wish I had a chance to thank him, but now I don't. I'm going to go out and I'm going to play for him and I'm going to be working hard, just like he would want me to."

One Bible verse read during Tuesday's service was Psalm 23:

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

Lake View golf coach Mitch Freeman, an elder at Johnson Street Church of Christ, said Roberts was active in the church and was a role model for younger children.

"He would serve communion," Freeman said. "As a teenager, he was involved in the youth group. I call Jason a quiet leader. He didn't say a whole lot, but he had a lot of people who looked up to him. He certainly led by example."

Marion Anderson, director of the Northside Boys and Girls Club, said Roberts was like the son he never had, and losing him is like losing one of his two daughters.

"We expected Jason to someday be on TV in the NFL playing football," Anderson said. "We expected Jason to have a family and have kids.

"We expected Jason to come back to the neighborhood and donate his wealth and his knowledge with the kids at the Boys and Girls Club. But all we've got now is a goodbye for Jason."